Study form - We removed the user-supplied Study
Start and End Date because they often didn't match the actual data.
These dates will now be auto-calculated, based on when the result data were
actually collected.

Location template - We eliminated the Location
Capped and Location Dredged fields. Also, we now only accept elevations referenced to the NAVD88 datum
since this is the state standard.

Results template - We got rid of 15 little-used fields. We renamed some
fields to make them more intuitive. We split out some fields that had been
pigeon-holed in others. In all, we have a net loss of 11 fields.

We have expanded the capabilities of EIM to accept continuous time series monitoring data
from field data loggers, buoys, data sondes, pressure
transducers, and other similar instruments. There is a new template by
which to upload this data, with an accompanying help document.

As part of this change, EIM now auto-calculates time series summary
values such as "Temperature, water (daily average)" and "Dissolved oxygen (daily
minimum)." As such, we are no longer accepting time series summary data
calculated outside of EIM. Summary data submitted prior to June 29, 2013 will still be available in EIM.

Search, map, and download upgrades

We now have an all-in-one tabular search page. This makes searching more
flexible and powerful. The map search has also been improved significantly.
It is more integrated with the tabular search. You can now see more information directly from the map,
something our users have been asking for.

Our Study and Location detail pages now display summary data, such as what media
were sampled and the number of samples and measurements taken. The detail pages have
clickable maps. The Location detail page also has site photos if
available.

Monitoring programs

Ecology has specialized focus areas (monitoring programs) where we collect
data for specific monitoring objectives; usually long-term and regularly
scheduled, using a consistent protocol. These data are stored in EIM.
We have added several specialized monitoring program search pages to accompany
our existing Groundwater Monitoring and Status and Trends Habitat Monitoring
(STREAM) search pages. These include:

The above changes are also reflected in MyEIM, our custom search and analysis
tool. In addition, we:

Added fields that weren't previously available for searching,
including well information such as completion depth and completion type.

Improved unit conversions so that any time you search on a value plus units, the search will find everything we can convert into those
units.

Added the ability to specify "where null" (i.e. no value) for a particular
field in your search criteria.

Help documents

We have revised most of our focused help documents to reflect the changes.
Some are in draft for now, like TCLP, Fraction Analyzed, and Result Basis. These
are close to final versions but we are still tweaking them. We are also
planning updates to the Samples from Multiple Depths and Field Replicates
documents. Additionally, we are no longer providing a printable data dictionary.
Use the
searchable EIM
help instead. When we revise our help system next winter we will have a way
to print it again.

We will be hosting statewide EIM training the weeks of September 9th and
16th, per the schedule below. The training sessions will be around 4 hours each
and will cover the changes to the templates and search. We will also be
hosting simulcast webinars on the dates listed below. We tried these out
last time and participants were really happy with them. Why travel if you
don't have to?